Audience Collective strengthens leadership with new appointments

Leeds-based independent marketing group Audience Collective has appointed Simon Price as group managing director and Kathryn Ellis as group strategy director to drive the launch and growth of its new agency, AC Media.

AC Media will bring together Audience Collective’s full media capabilities across planning, buying, performance and social, delivering integrated campaigns that help brands navigate growth, transformation, or category disruption. 

Simon brings over 30 years of experience leading high-performing media agencies and has worked on multi-channel campaigns for brands including Hotels.com and Sky Betting & Gaming. 

He said: “Right now, there’s a ‘wallpaper problem’ in media. 

“Too much work is built to please algorithms rather than people, content that fills space but fails to move anyone or drive real results.  

“Everything looks and feels the same and we know that challenger brands can’t afford to blend in; they need to stand out, surprise, and deliver that genuine ‘wow’ factor every single time.” 

Kathryn, whose career spans two decades, has created award-winning campaigns for brands including Halifax, Plusnet, Pink Lady and Motability, and is currently pursuing a PhD exploring the link between diversity and creativity.

She added: “I have worked in some of the UK’s largest agencies as a strategist, seeing firsthand the shift in communication strategies.

“I am joining Audience Collective at a point of real growth for the group, and I look forward to driving the teams and supporting on the launch and direction of AC Media alongside Simon and the wider team.

“Today’s challenger brands can’t simply buy growth; they have to earn it. 

“That’s where AC Media comes in, helping brands be smarter, bolder, and more creative with their media.”

Rob Wescott, group chief executive at Audience Collective, added: “We’re delighted to bring together not one but two moguls in Simon and Kathryn. 

“Their combined experience – Simon’s commercial leadership and Kathryn’s creative strategic edge — will ensure AC Media cuts through the noise and sets a new standard for what challenger brands can achieve.” 

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